George Russell was fastest from Max Verstappen in first practice for the Austrian Grand Prix as Ireland’s Alex Dunne impressed on his McLaren debut.
Canada race-winner Russell, who revealed to Sky Sports F1 that Mercedes are talking to Verstappen about the Dutchman’s future, pipped his rival by 0.065s on Red Bull’s home track.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri was third and Dunne, who replaced Lando Norris for the first session in Austria, impressively took fourth and was only a quarter of a second off pace-setter Russell.
F1 teams must fulfil a rule which requires them to run a rookie in at least four practice sessions during the season, so McLaren took the opportunity to give Dunne a chance to shine and he certainly caught the attention of the paddock.
Dunne, 19, leads the Formula 2 championship and became the first Irish driver to compete in an F1 race weekend since Ralph Firman in 2003.
“You just want him to have a good session and everything to go well. All credit to him,” said Sky Sports F1‘s Bernie Collins.
“He’s looked so strong in F2 and done a fantastic job. I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Watch as Ferrari suffers a double scare early in P1 during the Austrian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton suffered a gearbox issue mid-way through the session and was ninth as Ferrari brought a new floor to Austria in an attempt to bridge their deficit to the front-runners.
Ferrari also ran a rookie with Dino Beganovic driving in place of Charles Leclerc, who will return with Norris for second practice later on Friday at 4pm.
Sky Sports F1’s Austrian GP schedule
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments throughout the years at the Austrian Grand Prix
Friday June 27
1.55pm: F3 Qualifying*
2.50pm: F2 Qualifying*
3.35pm: Austrian GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)*
5.15pm: The F1 Show*
Saturday June 28
9am: F3 Sprint
11.15pm: Austrian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Austrian GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: AUSTRIAN GP QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday June 29
7.25am: F3 Feature Race
8.55am: F2 Feature Race
10.40am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Austrian GP build-up*
2pm: THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Austrian GP reaction*
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Next up for the 2025 Formula 1 season is a return to Europe for the Austrian Grand Prix, which is live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.
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